Elizabeth F. Schwartz, "Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay and Otherwise" (New Press, 2016)

Published: Oct. 27, 2022, 8 a.m.

b"Not long ago, same-sex couples had to jump through endless hoops to make their relationships even close to legal. Happily, those days are over. But here's the rub: many gay and lesbian couples, accustomed to living off-grid, are so thrilled to have the benefits of marriage that they jump into it without fully considering the consequences.\\nIn\\xa0Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay and Otherwise\\xa0(New Press, 2016), leading gay rights attorney Elizabeth F. Schwartz spells out the range of practical considerations any couple should address before tying the knot. She explains the rights married couples have--and those they do not. With cameos from some of the most prominent LGBTQ+ professionals, Schwartz explores all of the implications of marriage from name changes and getting a license to taxes, insurance, Social Security, and much more.\\nChapters on estate planning, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and organizing finances make\\xa0Before I Do\\xa0a crucial handbook for anyone considering marriage--because, as Schwartz explains, just because you\\xa0can\\xa0get married does not mean you\\xa0should.\\n\\ufeffEugenio Duarte, Ph.D. is a psychologist and psychoanalyst practicing in Miami.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices\\nSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law"